User experience (UX) design is a multifaceted field with a myriad of sub-specializations. Among these, two seemingly distinct areas emerge: mainstream UX design and game UX design. While they share some fundamental principles, the differences between the two are as striking as a chessboard and a game controller. In this article, we’ll delve into these distinctions, shedding light on the fascinating world of Game UX Design and exploring how it sets itself apart from mainstream UX.
1. User Goals and Objectives
Mainstream UX Design: In mainstream UX design, the primary focus is to help users achieve a specific goal, such as booking a flight, buying a product, or filling out a form efficiently. The objective is often straightforward and task-oriented.
Mainstream UX design often revolves around pragmatic objectives. Whether it’s booking a flight, purchasing a product, or filling out a form, the goal is clear and efficiency is key. The design aims to make the user’s journey as smooth and straightforward as possible. Simplicity is prized, and the focus is on delivering the desired outcome with minimal friction. To achieve this, mainstream UX designers prioritize clarity, consistency, and ease of use.
Game UX Design: Game UX takes a different approach. Here, the goal is to immerse users in an engaging, enjoyable experience, often with multiple objectives. The user is encouraged to explore, learn, and overcome challenges, making the experience more about entertainment and satisfaction than practicality.
In Game UX design, the objectives are not as clear-cut as in mainstream UX. Games are designed to entertain and engage users. This often involves creating an immersive experience with multiple objectives and challenges. Game designers focus on making the user experience enjoyable and memorable. They introduce elements of exploration, learning, and problem-solving, allowing users to navigate a rich and interactive environment.
2. User Engagement and Emotion
Mainstream UX Design: Mainstream UX aims to create a seamless and intuitive interface, with a focus on usability. It values efficiency and simplicity but may not prioritize emotional engagement.
Mainstream UX design centers on creating a user experience that is straightforward and efficient. The emphasis is on usability, with the goal of helping users complete tasks quickly and with minimal effort. While the user interface is designed to be intuitive, it may not necessarily prioritize emotional engagement. The primary objective is to provide a functional and practical solution to the user’s needs.
Game UX Design: Game UX thrives on emotional engagement. It leverages storytelling, reward systems, and immersive graphics to evoke a wide range of emotions – from joy and excitement to tension and anticipation. This emotional rollercoaster keeps users coming back for more.
In Game UX design, emotions are front and center. Game designers utilize storytelling, reward systems, and captivating graphics to evoke a broad spectrum of emotions in users. From the thrill of victory to the tension of facing challenges, games are expertly crafted to keep players emotionally engaged. This emotional rollercoaster is a driving force behind user retention and long-term engagement.
3. Feedback Mechanisms
Mainstream UX Design: In mainstream UX, feedback is often subtle and informative, providing users with cues, hints, and notifications to guide them through tasks.
Mainstream UX design relies on providing users with subtle yet informative feedback. This feedback often comes in the form of cues, hints, and notifications that assist users in completing tasks. The aim is to guide users through the interface, making their interactions as seamless as possible. Feedback is designed to be helpful and unobtrusive, ensuring users can accomplish their objectives with confidence.
Game UX Design: Game designers employ more immediate and visible feedback. This includes visual and auditory rewards, progress bars, and interactive elements that reinforce actions and decisions.
Game UX design takes a different approach to feedback. It emphasizes immediate and visible feedback to enhance the gaming experience. Players receive feedback through visual and auditory cues, such as celebratory animations, sounds, and progress bars. The aim is to create a sense of accomplishment and reinforce users’ actions and decisions, making the gaming experience more engaging and rewarding.
4. User Motivation and Retention
Mainstream UX Design: Mainstream applications focus on achieving the user’s goal efficiently, with the hope of converting a one-time user into a loyal customer.
Mainstream UX design often focuses on achieving immediate user goals efficiently. It aims to provide a seamless user experience, ensuring that users can complete tasks with ease. While the goal is to convert users into loyal customers, the primary focus is on delivering a practical solution to their needs.
Game UX Design: Game UX thrives on creating long-term, motivated users who return to the experience. This is achieved through a mix of challenges, leveling systems, and continuous rewards.
Game UX design places a strong emphasis on creating long-term engagement and motivation. The goal is to keep users returning to the game. To achieve this, game designers introduce a mix of challenges, leveling systems, and a steady stream of rewards. These elements create a sense of progression and achievement, motivating users to continue their journey within the game.
5. Progression and Mastery
Mainstream UX Design: The focus here is on clear, linear progression toward completing a task or reaching a goal, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use.
In mainstream UX design, the user journey is often characterized by clear, linear progression. The focus is on providing users with a straightforward path toward completing a task or achieving a goal. The design is streamlined for simplicity and ease of use, aiming to reduce any unnecessary complexity or obstacles in the user’s path.
Game UX Design: Game UX introduces elements of progression and mastery, often requiring users to develop new skills and strategies to overcome increasingly difficult challenges.
In Game UX design, the user experience is not linear but rather structured around elements of progression and mastery. Users are often required to develop new skills and strategies as they face increasingly difficult challenges. This dynamic approach keeps the experience engaging and encourages users to continuously improve and adapt.
Conclusion
In summary, while mainstream UX design centers on efficient, goal-oriented tasks, Game UX Design ventures into a world of entertainment, emotions, and engagement. Both have unique strengths and are essential in their own right. Understanding the differences between these two facets of UX design can help professionals tailor their skills to create the best user experiences, whether for productivity or play.
As the digital world continues to evolve, UX designers must be versatile, knowing when to apply principles from mainstream UX design and when to harness the captivating world of game-inspired user experiences. Balancing these approaches is the key to creating meaningful and engaging digital interactions that cater to a diverse range of user needs and expectations.
Remember, in the ever-expanding universe of UX design, versatility is your superpower.
Discover more about UX design and its various facets by staying tuned to our blog for the latest insights and updates.
